TEST FOR ECHO

3.5 stars. This was the first RUSH album since the "Signals" record that I actually bought soon after it's release. I had heard some songs off of the "Counterparts" album and was very pleased to hear they had gone back to the guitar driven music that I loved so much. I almost like this one as much as the "Counterparts" album, mainly because I listened to it so much back then. I liked it so much I am probably one of the few who actually has, and still wears a "Test For Echo" t-shirt. The picture in the liner notes where the song "Test For Echo" lyrics are located with the picture of the wolf howling and the moon in the background, that is what is on the front of my RUSH shirt. It has the concert venues and dates on the back. I wear it with pride. All the pictures in the liner notes are so well done by Hugh Syme, including the front cover.To quote Lifeson "I feel like we arrived with this record. There's a particular feel that I don't think we had before-a nice groove and a lot of really good RUSH songs."

"Test For Echo" is a great tune ! I like the way Alex breaks off into that uptempo melody (with Neil and Geddy) on and off throughout this song. This melody contrasted with the mellow chorus works well. "Driven" continues the contrast of the heavy passages with the acoustic mellow ones. Alex grinds away, and also gives us some screaming guitar solos.There is really a sonic assault to end the song. "Half The World" has this powerful undercurrent throughout of great bass and drum work. Alex plays mandola on this one."The Color Of Right" is an uplifting song for me with a tasteful guitar solo. "Time And Motion" has some scorching guitar and heavy drums follow. The drumming is a highlight on this powerful tune.

"Totem" is a song where Neil goes to great lengths to say he only believes in what he can hear and see. "Dog Years" has such a good intro of thundering bass and drums.The lyrics are silly but the instrumental parts are great ! "Virtuality" is another amazing, heavy song. I love the bass and drum work. Again a good contrast of heavy and light passages. "Resist" is so uplifting ! Neil was inspired to write this when he visited Scotland, and it's all about the people of Scotland so check out the lyrics. Geddy's vocals are so well done. "Limbo" has some fantastic bass in it. The vocal melodies in the background are a nice touch. "Carve Away The Stone" has some powerful instrumental work on it including a raw solo from Alex.

Favourite songs for me are the instrumental "Limbo" and "Time and Motion". For me this is close to a 4 star record and better than most of the synth driven records that came after "Signals". Highly recommended.